Report: Jairus Byrd looking for $9 million per season

Safety Jairus Byrd ranks 12th on PFT‘s list of the Hot 100 free agents, but he’s reportedly looking to rank even higher when it comes to compensation among NFL safeties.

James Walker of ESPN.com reports that the safety is looking for an average salary of around $9 million from any team that wants to sign him when such signings become a possibility on Tuesday. There’s no word on whether he’s found interest at that price tag over the weekend.

If Byrd did land a deal averaging $9 million a year, he’d slot in behind Eric Berry and just ahead of Eric Weddle and Dashon Goldson when it comes to highest averages among safeties. Byrd’s desire to secure a contract in that range led to a long standoff with the Bills after they placed the franchise tag on him last season as Buffalo wasn’t willing to meet his price for a long-term deal.

There have been reports of interest in Byrd from both Miami and St. Louis, although predicted interest from the Browns has yet to materialize. Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com adds that the Eagles, who need safety help, haven’t shown much interest “yet,” which may have something to do with the price tag that Byrd is looking for this offseason.

Really thought he’d be a great fit for the Eagles, but $9mil per year is probably not do-able in Philly. We still need to extend Cox, Thornton, Kendricks, and Foles beyond this season. I can see why reports are that we’re looking at more affordable guys like Malcolm Jenkins and Mitchell.

Disappointing, but I wouldn’t want to deal with another Nnamdi situation, and 9mil per is too much for a safety unless it’s Ed Reed/Brian Dawkins

His real thoughts.9 million I want from real nfl teams.if you want me to play for that talentless joke packers franchise you better pay me 50mil a year,atleast.

schmitty2 says:Mar 10, 2014 10:15 AM

Byrd was insistent that he wouldn’t mind staying in Buffalo. They offer him 10 mil a year which he rejects now he states he is looking for 9 mil a year. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he is full of crap.

That is the going rate for a top safety going into a contract year. It will happen next year and every year after. The report of the Bills offering 10 million a year is bogus. Jbyrd would’ve been signed to a long term deal by now. This should’ve been done awhile ago. This is not Byrds fault. This is the Bills’ fault for spending stupidly on underachievers, and then trying to get a bargain when it’s time to sign someone who produces at a pro bowl level every year.

myeaglescantwin says:Mar 10, 2014 10:51 AM

Alright. enough with this Nnamdi talk.

you can’t use that as a point of reference at ALLLLLL..

Nnamdi was touted as one of the leagues best man to man cover corners..
That was his game. Find their #1, stay on him the entire game.
They brought in DMC, another top man to man CB..

what did the brain trust of Reid & Castillo do??

PUT THEM IN OFF COVERAGE AND ASKED THEM TO PLAY SOFT ZONES..

it was at that moment I knew their was no future with Reid.
that’s like buying a Ferrari and trying to take it 4 wheeling..

add that to the list of arrogant and idiotic mistakes made at the end of his tenure..

Too many are believing the Bills offered a legit $10 mill/year. The Bills’ GM, Whaley, is actually looking pretty smart right now about not tagging Byrd if he wants a shot at signing him long-term. Byrd is asking for way above his market value, so Whaley is going to let him test the market and find out for himself. Once Byrd sees his market value more clearly, he will be more likely to resign with the Bills for a reasonable rate.

Byrd has consistently told his teammates (most importantly his fellow DBs) he wants to stay in Buffalo. Don’t write it off yet.

gamds says:Mar 10, 2014 12:45 PM

Eugene Parker is one of the most notorious agents out there, if Byrd should give your team their money’s worth at a 9 million dollar season, odds are he holds out the next year for more.

Buffalo had offered him $30 million over three years t start with and that is still not enough? If so, then screw him. Pull the offer and pay someone else a few million less that can just do a steady job and not have to be All Pro. Save the money for other guys.
Give him a take it now or leave it for good. If he walks, so be it.

I doubt that report was bogus. They have been trying for a couple years to sign him long term. His agent is too damn greedy. Let him go to the Raiders. If he thinks the Bills are bad, wait until he sees the Raiders.
Neither the Raiders, the Dolphins, the Rams or the Vikes are anywhere near being a real contender, same as the Bills this upcoming year.
If someone thinks he will sign for $5 million, good luck. I would say the chances are higher that Brett Favre will come out of retirement and lead the Pack to another Super Bowl win.

GrossmanDaSexCannon says:Mar 11, 2014 1:13 PM

Do I Doubt Buffalo offered him $30 mil over 3? No.

Do I Doubt Buffalo offered him $10 a year? Yes.

Do I Doubt Jarius wants to stay in Buffalo? No.

Do I Doubt Jarius is being as cooperative as he claims? Yes.

We’re talking about a guy who faked a soft foot injury THAT DOESN’T GO AWAY. The reason the Bills didn’t tag him this year is because he was just going to hold out again. He had 1 incredible season, and then he had another DECENT season last year. That’s 2. Across how many years?

Jarius, baby, we love you here in Buffalo. We really want you to stay. But we’ve been losing for so long now…we don’t have time for your antics. Let’s meet halfway and get a deal done. Otherwise, we’re gonna be stuck here blaming you.